Stress as a Spiritual Teacher: An Online Insight Meditation Retreat
with David Chernikoff
Online Retreat • March 31 - April 2, 2023
About the Event
The past few years have been a period of unprecedented stress for many of us. Buddhist teachings offer us a wide variety of skillful means for “turning poison into medicine.” In this retreat, we’ll investigate the nature of stress and the ways in which our own suffering can become a gateway to compassion that transforms the way we move through the world. A primary focus will be the practices of sitting meditation and walking meditation in silence. There will be meditation instruction, dharma talks, and experiential exercises designed to reframe our life experiences as steppingstones in the process of spiritual awakening. This retreat is a heartfelt invitation to explore your “growing edges” in a caring, supportive practice community.
Teacher Bio
David Chernikoff (www.davidchernikoff.com) began the study and practice of meditation in 1971 and started teaching insight meditation in 1988. His teaching has been influenced by senior teachers from the Insight Meditation Society and Spirit Rock, Tibetan teachers with whom he studied during a 3-year stay in Nepal, and spiritual guides from other contemplative traditions, most notably Ram Dass, Father Thomas Keating, and Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi. David taught psychology and meditation for many years at Naropa University. He currently serves as one of the guiding teachers of the Insight Meditation Community of Colorado (www.insightcolorado.org) and teaches retreats and workshops throughout the U.S.David is the author of Life, Part Two: Seven Keys to Awakening with Purpose and Joy as You Age.
Schedule
All times are for Central time zone
(*Indicates online activity)
Friday March 31st
*7:30 – 8:15pm
Opening session
*8:15 – 9:00pm
Meditation instruction and sitting practice
9:00pm
Rest or further practice
Saturday April 1st
*7:15 – 8:00 am
Sitting Meditation
8:00 – 9:30 am
Home-based practice
*9:30 – 10:30 am
Meditation instruction and sitting practice
10:30 – 11:15 am
Walking meditation instruction / Walking meditation or mindful movement
*11:15 – 12:00 pm
Meditation instruction and sitting meditation
*12:00 – 12:30 pm
Discussion / Q & A
12:30 – 2:00 pm
Home-based practice
*2:00 – 3:00 pm
Meditation instruction and sitting practice
3:00 – 3:30 pm
Walking meditation or mindful movement
*3:30 – 4:30 pm
Dharma talk
4:30 – 5:00 pm
Walking meditation or mindful movement
*5:00 – 6:00 pm
Experiential exercises
6:00 – 7:30 pm
Home-based practice
*7:30 – 8:30 pm
Meditation / Discussion / Q & A
8:30 pm
Rest or further practice
Sunday April 2nd
*7:15 – 8:00 am
Sitting Meditation
8:00 – 9:30 am
Home-based practice
*9:30 – 10:15 am
Meditation instruction and sitting practice
10:15 – 11:00
Walking meditation or mindful movement
*11:00 – 12:30pm
Closing session
Ticket Prices
We ask that you support Flowering Lotus and those whose needs are greater by registering at the highest level ($75, $50, $25) with which you’re comfortable.
All are welcome to participate, regardless of ability to pay. If you are unable to pay the minimum $25 registration, select “Scholarship”, and no payment will be required.
There will be an opportunity to make a dana* contribution in any amount, to Flowering Lotus and the teachers at the online event. Your generosity is a gift that supports not just the teacher; but also the Sangha (Flowering Lotus); the larger Dharma community; and, most importantly, your own practice.
*Dana is a Pali word that is generally translated “generosity.” We are taught to practice dana, or generosity, by making monetary offerings for the teachings. Dana is not payment for services rendered – it is given from the heart. Dana is the first theme in the Buddha’s system of gradual training and the first of the three grounds for meritorious action.
More Information
If you have questions or need additional information about this retreat or other Flowering Lotus program offerings, please contact:
Beth Herzig, Retreat Director
601-918-8510